Combination table and bench construction



Dec. 15,1959 D. B. MORi TZ 2,917,108

COMBINATION TABLE AND BENCH CONSTREICTION Filed Oct. 29. 1958 2Sheets-Sheet 1' TB f UM W11 Win. mm 1 I V v 6 M. WM In. wi

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ATTORNEYS 5, 1 -.D. B. MORITZ 2,917,108

COMBINATION TABLE AND BENCH CONSTRUCTION Filed on. 29, 1958 2Sheets-Sheet 2 mmvrok. .Domw b. Mon/.1:

' l MW ATTQRNEYS United States Patent COMBINATION TABLE AND BENCHCONSTRUCTION Donald B. Moritz, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to WacoManufacturing Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a cor- My invention relatesto construction of bench-equipped tables, commonly referred to as picnictables.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of a picnic tableincluding a generally rectangular table top and a pair of elongatedbench tops each disposed generally parallel to but below the plane of anopposite longitudinal edge of the table top together with novelsubstructure for supporting said table top and bench tops, whichsub-structure may be mass produced at a minimum of cost, but which willrigidly support the table top against sway both longitudinally andtransversely thereof.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of theclass immediately above described in which the sub-structure forsupporting the table top and bench tops comprises a plurality ofsupporting units spaced longitudinally of the table top and bench tops,each of said units comprising a pair of substantially identical butoppositely facing supporting elements which may be readily securedtogether and to the table top and bench tops with a minimum of skill andinstructions, thereby making it possible to inexpensively produce such apicnic table and to ship same in a knocked down condition for subsequentassembly by the purchaser.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of theclass above described which is simpler, cheaper and yet more 'rugged inconstruction than any comparable picnic table heretofore produced.

The above and still further objects of my invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed specification, appended claims and attacheddrawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein like characters indicate like partsthroughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of my novel table;

Fig. 2 is a view in bottom plan, on an enlarged scale, some parts beingbroken away and some parts shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view on the scale of Fig. 2, as seen from belowthe plane of the table top;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in side elevation; and

Fig. 5 is a view in end elevation, some parts being broken away and someparts shown in section.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the numeral 1indicates an elongated generally rectangular table top, the numeral 2identifying conventional elongated bench tops, one each disposedgenerally parallel to but below the plane of an opposite longitudinaledge 3 of thetable top 1.

Sub-structure for supporting the table top 1 and bench tops 2 comprisesa plurality of supporting units 4 spaced longitudinally of the table top1 and bench tops 2 and each comprising a pair of substantially identicalbut oppositely facing supporting elements 5, preferably and as shownformed from conventional metal pipe stock. The supporting elements 5each comprise an elongated foot portion 6 extending transversely of thetable and bench tops 1, 2, and each underlying the table top 1 and anopposite one of the bench tops 2. As shown, the inner ends 7 of the footportions 6 are in overlapping side by side relationship below the tabletop 1 and are rigidly secured together as at 8. As shown particularly inFigs. 2 and 5, the extreme inner ends of the foot portions 6 extend inopposite directions beyond a vertical plane extending longitudinally ofthe table top 1 and intersecting the transverse center thereof, saidinner ends 7 being then upturned to provide table top supporting legs 9onopposite sides of said plane.

As shown particularly in Fig. 4, the supporting legs 9 diverge upwardlyand outwardly in opposite directions from a vertical plane parallel tothe foot portions 6 and passing between the joined overlapping innerends 7 thereof. At their upper ends the supporting legs 9 are bent atright angles in opposite directions to provide elongated substantiallyparallel arms 10 which, as shown, extend transversely of the table top 1in longitudinally spaced relationship. It will be noted that the arms10, which are suitably secured to the table top by nutequipped bolts orthe like 11, have longitudinal dimensions greater than one-half thetransverse dimensions of the table top 1. This novel arrangement, in theabsence of any longitudinally extending brace members, imparts to thetable top 1 great rigidity and stability, both transversely andlongitudinally thereof.

In a conventional manner, the outer ends 12 of the foot portions 6,laterally outwardly of the adjacent side edges 3 of the top 1 areupturned as at 13 and then reversely turned as at 14, in overlyingrelationship to the outer ends 12 of the foot portions 6, whereby tosupport the bench tops 2, suitable anchoring means such as nutequippedbolts 15 being utilized for the purpose of securing said bench tops 2thereto.

My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completelysatisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects and while Ihave disclosed a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understoodthat same may be capable of modification without departure from thescopeand spirit of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a combination table and bench structure, an elongated generallyrectangular table top, a pair of elongated bench tops each disposedgenerally parallel to but below the plane of an opposite longitudinaledge of the table top, and sub-structure for supporting said table topand bench tops, said sub-structure comprising a plurality of supportingunits spaced longitudinally of the table top and bench tops, each saidunit comprising a pair of substantially identical but oppositely facingsupporting elements, each said supporting element comprising anelongated foot portion extending transversely of the table and benchtops and each underlying the table top and an opposite one of the benchtops and having their inner ends below the table top disposed in andrigidly secured Patented Dec. 15, 1959 I together in-overlapping-side'byside relationship, said supporting-elements at the extremeinnerends-ofsaid-foot portions extending in opposite directions beyond a verticalplane extending longitudinally of the table top and intersecting thetransverse center thereof and being up- 5 turned at their inner ends toprovide upwardly directed table top engaging legs lying on oppositesides of said plane and anchored to the table top at their upper ends,the outer ends of said foot portions being upturned and anchored each toan opposite one of said bench tops to 10 whereby said table and' b'enchstructure is re derea in: 15 2,533,313

heren-tly rigidagainst sway in"a dire'ct ion' longitudinally of thetable and bench-tops.

4 2. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the anchored-upper endsof said legs define elongated sub stantially parallel arms which projecttransversely of said table top in opposite directions, said arms havinglongitudinal dimensions greater than one-half the transverse dimensionof said table top.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D.168,941 Kuehne Mar. 3, 1953 D. 172,195 Richardson May 11, 1954 1,074,012Pollard Sept. 23, 1913 2,162,560 Larsen June 13, 1939 Flicker r Dec. 12,1950 2,811,197 Nimmo Oct. 29, 1957

